This eprouvette or powder tester was manufactured in Spain or what is now Italy and has the Spanish style patilla lock; both the Roman lock and patilla lock were used on the Iberian and Italian peninsulas. It has a pistol style stock and is fitted with a large spring, wing bolt, notched wheel with arm and cover, and a powder chamber instead of a barrel. Few of these devices survive. They were used to confirm the strength and quality of black powder in the 17th and 18th centuries and were more commonly used in the overlapping years of the snaplock and flintlock eras. As black powder quality improved and became relatively standardized, these devices were no longer needed and many were discarded or broken down for parts.

Good. The iron has a blend of gray and brown patina and some light oxidation. The brass trigger guard has a dark aged patina and has a period repair visible on the rear of the bow and a crack at the rear screw. The stock is also good and has a crack at the forend tip along with numerous marks and dents. Mechanically functions with strong hammer spring, but hammer does not disengage without assistance.